Commuters in Mumbai should brace for significant disruptions in suburban train services this weekend. The Central Railway's Mumbai division has officially announced a major megablock scheduled for Saturday, December 28. This planned interruption is essential for carrying out crucial engineering and maintenance works across key sections of its network.
Detailed Block Schedule and Affected Lines
The maintenance activities will impact both the Main and Harbour lines during specific daytime windows. On the Main line, the block will be in effect on the fast lines between Matunga and Mulund. This disruption will last for nearly five hours, from 11:05 am until 3:45 pm.
The Harbour line will see a more extensive block affecting both directions. The down line from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Chunabhatti and Bandra will be closed from 11:40 am to 4:40 pm. Concurrently, the up line from Chunabhatti/Bandra to CSMT will be non-operational from 11:10 am to 4:10 pm.
Alternative Travel Arrangements for Passengers
To mitigate inconvenience for the thousands of daily passengers, the Central Railway has outlined several alternative travel options. For those on the Harbour line, a special provision has been made: passengers will be permitted to travel via the Main line and Western Railway using their regular tickets. This cross-line facility will be available from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, offering a wider window than the block period itself.
Furthermore, the railway will operate special local services between Panvel and Kurla (specifically on platform number 8). These services are planned to run at a frequency of every 20 minutes throughout the duration of the block, providing some connectivity on the affected trans-harbour section.
Planning Your Commute
With these changes in place, suburban commuters are strongly advised to plan their journeys in advance. The megablock is a routine but necessary operation for ensuring long-term safety and efficiency of Mumbai's lifeline rail network. Travelers should factor in additional time for their trips, consider the alternative routes provided, and stay updated through official railway channels for any last-minute changes.
Such blocks, while disruptive, are critical for infrastructure upkeep. The Central Railway has scheduled this work on a weekend to minimize impact on the weekday rush, urging passengers for their cooperation and understanding.
